Troops of 1 Division Nigerian Army have rescued nine kidnapped victims and recovered weapons in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

According to the division’s acting deputy director, Public Relations, Lt-Col Musa Yahaya, the hostages were rescued on Dec. 8.

Mr Yahaya said in a statement on Monday in Kaduna that troops deployed to Birnin Yero were on patrol in the Kanzaure general area when they received a report of the kidnap of 11 civilians at Anguwan Maharba and Dandami villages.

He explained that the troops, in conjunction with the civilian Joint Task Force, swiftly mobilised and laid ambush on the bandits’ crossing point.

“Troops made contact with the bandits, and the overwhelming firepower of the troops made the bandits withdraw in disarray with gunshot wounds.

“The troops rescued nine kidnapped victims while two of the hostages were killed by the bandits before the troops’ arrival.”

According to him, one AK47 rifle and magazine and one locally made gun were recovered from the bandits.

Mr Yahaya said the General Officer Commanding the Division, who is also the Force Commander of Operation Whirl Punch, Maj.-Gen. Valentine Okoro commended the troops for their resilience.

He charged them not to relent in ensuring the peace and safety of citizens in the division’s area of responsibility.

Mr Okoro urged all well-meaning citizens to provide troops and other security agencies with credible intelligence to tackle insecurity in the area.

(NAN)